Joe Montana says Blaine Gabbert s great job as the 49ers starting quarterback merits a plan to keep him in that role.

“He”s definitely (someone) you need to keep around,” Montana told the Sporting News on Wednesday. “He”s provedhe can not onlyplay at the level to win games, but also in that offense.

That”s key in proving his worth to the team. I don”t know what will happen with Colin (Kaepernick) or what their plans are with him, but at this point at time, I don”t think you let Blaine get away.”

Gabbert is signed through 2016, at a base salary of $1.75 million. Kaepernick s $11.9 million base salary becomes guaranteed if he s on the roster April 1.

Gabbert has played well in posting a 2-2 record since replacing Colin Kaepernick. Sunday s 26-20 overtime win at Chicago was keyed by Gabbert s 44-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and his 71-yard touchdown pass to Torrey Smith.

“I think he”s done a great job going in under the circumstances, where the team is and how many people they”ve lost to injuries,” Montana said.”Some people would say it”s easier because you”re losing and there”s only upside, but there”s still a lot of pressure to perform when you go in. When you make a change like that, you expect the backup to play well.”

Well, Steve Young certainly set that bar when he replaced Montana on the 49ers.

“He has the athleticism to make defenses think about his running,” Montana added. “If things break down, he can still get out of trouble and make plays downfield, not only with his arm, but his legs, too.”

Kaepernick could run, too. But he got benched Nov. 1, and he underwent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder on Nov. 24. Kaepernick s recovery could weigh into the 49ers plans, Montana believes.

“I think it”s a matter of what happens with Colin when he comes back from his surgery,”Montana said. “They””ll probably take it from there, first to see how he”s recovering with that shoulder and see how it still may affect his throwing, and whether it also did in the past. I”m not just sure how they”re going to view it.”